The Harvard School of Public Health states the expansion of the current Medicaid program may prove substantially beneficial, as research from the department shows it could save thousands of American lives.

The research, featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, discovered there has been a 6 percent decline in the adult death rate in three states - Arizona, New York and Maine - in which Medicaid was expanded.

Further, analysis by the researchers found one death would be prevented annually for every 176 Americans covered under the health insurance program.

"Policymakers should be should be aware that major changes in Medicaid - either expansions or reductions in coverage - may have significant effects on the health of vulnerable populations," researchers from Harvard noted in their research.

A separate study by researchers in Oregon in 2011 found there were also benefits as Medicaid was expanded. According to The Associated Press, those who conducted that study found residents with expanded Medicaid coverage were more likely to receive regular medical care.

Any consumer who wants to get more medical care may want to ensure they have a comprehensive health insurance plan. If they don't have one, they can search online and compare rates at various insurers.